Every now and then I'm asked what my favourite concerts and tracks are
from the DGMLive archive. With so many to choose from that's a pretty
tall order. However, were you to press me on this question here's what
I'd come up with today (mind, you might get a different selection if you
ask me tomorrow!).
In chronological order rather than in any weighting for favourites we have...
King Crimson April 13, 1971, Zoom Club Frankfurt, Germany
The second ever gig of this incarnation and they are really hitting their stride.
This early period is especially interesting as they are finding out what they're about. In a way they were hemmed by the pre-existing repertoire and you get a sense of them being let off the leash in the new numbers.
King Crimson June 23, 1973 Richards Club Atlanta, Georgia.
There's so many gigs from this line-up that demand attention but this outing finds the band on terrific form. Whenever I hear this I'm blown away by the energy this quartet had at their fingertips. Definitely something in the air with this one.
The League of Gentlemen, September 21, 1980, Royal Exeter Bournemouth
Hands down my favourite gig of this boppin' outfit. Regardless of the lo-fi origins this gig has the juice. If you buy one LoG gig then buy this one.
King Crimson May 07, 1981 Polytechnic Manchester, England
What I love about this period in the band is that not everything is quite nailed down. There's a degree of experimentation at work and this combined with the band's inate confidence about what they were doing makes for a powerful blend. A great show despite the lowly bootleg origins.
Robert Fripp August 02, 1981, Washington Square Church New York, NY,
Fripp was really onto something with these performances. This is the evening performance where he manages to make music that sounds sweet and yet is infused with something that almost feels infernal at times.
Robert Fripp October 11, 1997 Mud Island Ampitheatre Memphis
Fripp was never going to be the most popular of opening acts on the G3 tour but it's amazing how some of the most sublime music comes out of potentially adverse circumstances. Mike Keneally joins Fripp for some impromptu soloing here - adding to this show's appeal.
Project Four October 24, 1998 Fox Theatre Boulder
I was at this gig working the merch table and it remains for me one of the very best gigs of that short tour. In some respects Seizure was the King Crimson track that got away and I don't think it was ever bettered than here on the second night in Boulder. Bags of atmosphere at this gig.
King Crimson November 14, 2003 Ulster Performing Arts Centre Kingston
Savage is the word I used back in 2006 when this show first went live and savage is the word I would still use to describe it. Some gigs are good, some gigs are very good and some gigs just go somewhere else entirely. This show has everything I love about King Crimson.
Robert Fripp August 25, 2006 Jaani kirik Viljandi, Estonia
Although some of the concerts in Estonia were presented on the Churchscapes album, my preferred method of engaging with these soundscapes is to hear the whole thing from start to finish. Fripp explores some remarkable places. Sparkling with a melody line that slowly ascends and falls, surrounded by a gentle carillon of bells, it offers a travelogue of the soul; recounting the beauty and the desolation, the despair and the hope that it’s possible to witness in a lifetime. Highly Recommended.
And the tenth one is... well what would you nominate and why? Answers to the guestbook please.
In chronological order rather than in any weighting for favourites we have...
King Crimson April 13, 1971, Zoom Club Frankfurt, Germany
The second ever gig of this incarnation and they are really hitting their stride.
This early period is especially interesting as they are finding out what they're about. In a way they were hemmed by the pre-existing repertoire and you get a sense of them being let off the leash in the new numbers.
King Crimson June 23, 1973 Richards Club Atlanta, Georgia.
There's so many gigs from this line-up that demand attention but this outing finds the band on terrific form. Whenever I hear this I'm blown away by the energy this quartet had at their fingertips. Definitely something in the air with this one.
The League of Gentlemen, September 21, 1980, Royal Exeter Bournemouth
Hands down my favourite gig of this boppin' outfit. Regardless of the lo-fi origins this gig has the juice. If you buy one LoG gig then buy this one.
King Crimson May 07, 1981 Polytechnic Manchester, England
What I love about this period in the band is that not everything is quite nailed down. There's a degree of experimentation at work and this combined with the band's inate confidence about what they were doing makes for a powerful blend. A great show despite the lowly bootleg origins.
Robert Fripp August 02, 1981, Washington Square Church New York, NY,
Fripp was really onto something with these performances. This is the evening performance where he manages to make music that sounds sweet and yet is infused with something that almost feels infernal at times.
Robert Fripp October 11, 1997 Mud Island Ampitheatre Memphis
Fripp was never going to be the most popular of opening acts on the G3 tour but it's amazing how some of the most sublime music comes out of potentially adverse circumstances. Mike Keneally joins Fripp for some impromptu soloing here - adding to this show's appeal.
Project Four October 24, 1998 Fox Theatre Boulder
I was at this gig working the merch table and it remains for me one of the very best gigs of that short tour. In some respects Seizure was the King Crimson track that got away and I don't think it was ever bettered than here on the second night in Boulder. Bags of atmosphere at this gig.
King Crimson November 14, 2003 Ulster Performing Arts Centre Kingston
Savage is the word I used back in 2006 when this show first went live and savage is the word I would still use to describe it. Some gigs are good, some gigs are very good and some gigs just go somewhere else entirely. This show has everything I love about King Crimson.
Robert Fripp August 25, 2006 Jaani kirik Viljandi, Estonia
Although some of the concerts in Estonia were presented on the Churchscapes album, my preferred method of engaging with these soundscapes is to hear the whole thing from start to finish. Fripp explores some remarkable places. Sparkling with a melody line that slowly ascends and falls, surrounded by a gentle carillon of bells, it offers a travelogue of the soul; recounting the beauty and the desolation, the despair and the hope that it’s possible to witness in a lifetime. Highly Recommended.
And the tenth one is... well what would you nominate and why? Answers to the guestbook please.
